Scholarships and Bursaries

• Be enrolled at McMaster
• International undergraduate students must be enrolled in Level 2 or higher
• Submit a completed application by the bursary deadline
• Continue to demonstrate financial need throughout the study period
• OSAP is used to demonstrate financial need. All students eligible to apply to OSAP or Government Aid Student Programs are expected to apply before applying for bursary assistance. ONLY students in the following groups will be considered for a bursary without an OSAP application:
  • Indigenous Students
  • International Students
  • Students with OSAP government aid restrictions include:
    • Academic progress restriction
    • Income verification restriction
    • Provincial and/or federal default restriction
    • Credit check restriction
  • Students with a disability taking a reduced course load
  • Students with Out-of-Province Student Aid
  • Part-time Students not eligible for part-time OSAP
  • Students receiving social assistance

What is the MAPS Bursary?

The McMaster Association for Part-Time Students (MAPS) generously donates the funding for this program. Primarily available to those receiving social assistance, the MAPS bursary program aids those who are economically disadvantaged.

This bursary provides non-repayable tuition and book assistance to part-time students who demonstrate financial need and do not qualify for OSAP. This includes students in degree programs AND certificate/diploma programs through McMaster University Continuing Education (MCE).

Additional financial resources are required as the MAPS Bursary is not a means of covering the full cost of your education. You are required to enrol and pay for your courses before receiving MAPS Bursary funding.

The value of the MAPS Bursary varies each term. Limited bursaries are available.

Who can apply?

You can apply for the MAPS Bursary if you are:

• Economically disadvantaged
• Taking a part-time degree OR diploma/certificate program and have completed at least 50% of any prior course work on a part-time basis AND be continuing your studies part-time
• Ineligible for OSAP

Ineligible for the MAPS Bursary:

• Not economically disadvantaged
• No demonstration of financial need according to AwardSpring and MAPS Bursary application
• Eligible and entitled for OSAP for Part-Time Students
• Enrolled in a full-time course load
• Have completed 50% or more of any prior course work on a full-time basis

How to apply

Follow the step-by-step instructions under the “How to apply” tab to fill out your common application in AwardSpring.

• Enrol and pay for your courses before applying for MAPS Bursary funding.
• Complete your common application on AwardSpring (once per academic year)
• Complete the MAPS Bursary application for either undergraduate part-time students or continuing education (MCE) students
• Complete the 4-month budget for the study period (e.g. fall enrolment > September to December)
• You need to submit a new MAPS Bursary application for each term (fall, winter, spring/summer)
• Incomplete applications will not be considered

2021-2022 MAPS deadlines

What is the Summer Undergraduate Bursary?

This bursary program is available in the spring/summer term for students completing the majority of their undergraduate program as a full-time student.

• Open to Canadian citizens or permanent residents only
• Intended to assist with additional costs associated with spring/summer courses and/or unpaid work placements required for degree completion
• Second-degree students are eligible to apply
• Limited funding is available
• Payments will be made in two installments: one in the spring session, one in the summer session

How to apply

• Follow the instructions under the “How to apply” tab
• Find the Summer Undergraduate Bursary application under the ‘Follow-up’ tab in AwardSpring.

What is the Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD)?

The Bursary for Students with Disabilities provides financial aid to students self-identifying as having either permanent or temporary disabilities. Funded by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), this bursary assists with the costs of disability-related services or equipment, such as tutors, note-takers, interpreters, braillers or technical aids that are required to participate in postsecondary studies.

Who is eligible for BSWD?

Full-time and part-time students who:

• Self-identify as having a permanent or temporary disability on the OSAP application
• Have disability-related educational costs for services or equipment that are not covered by another agency or service
• Require these services/equipment to participate in post-secondary studies
• Have discussed accommodations with Student Accessibility Services

How to verify your disability

The OSAP Disability Verification Form is the only acceptable proof of disability.

Upload a completed OSAP Disability Verification Form (PDF) to verify your status as a student with a permanent disability.

Why self-identify as a student with a disability with OSAP?

• You can apply for OSAP for Full-Time Students at a 40% course load
• You can choose between OSAP for Full-Time Students or OSAP for Part Time Students with a 40-59% course load
• You could receive the Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities
• You may be considered for the bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD) if accommodations are needed

How to apply

1. Apply for OSAP for Full-Time Students or OSAP for Part-Time Students and self-identify as a student with a permanent disability
2. Upload your OSAP Disability Verification Form through your OSAP portal
3. Meet with Student Accessibility Services (SAS) to discuss accommodations and complete the BSWD application not later that 60 days before the study period end date on your current OSAP application.
4. SAS sends the BSWD application to Student Services
5. Application is processed if eligible
6. Bursary funding is credited to the McMaster student account
7. Bursary refunds are processed via Interac e-transfer to your McMaster email address. You will receive an email directing you to log in to your online banking to make a deposit.
   *Check your Junk Mail if you do not receive the Interact e-transfer email within 5 – 7 days after your bursary approval communication.
8. Purchase equipment or services and upload receipt(s) to the MacDrive link listed in your approval letter by the deadline.

Your commitment

Make sure you:

• Upload your complete OSAP Disability Verification Form through the OSAP website
• Update your mailing address on Mosaic
• Set up a bank account in your name through a Canadian financial institution if you do not currently have a bank account
• Purchase all approved items/services once the bursary is received
• Upload your receipt(s) via MacDrive verifying the payment of all items within 30 days (all ongoing services by the end of the term)
• Repay any unused portion of the BSWD

BSWD FAQs

When can I purchase BSWD funded items or services?

Purchases may be made after your BSWD application is approved. Services such as tutoring or note taking should not take place prior to the application approval. Any purchases of items and services made before the application is approved may not be reimbursed.

Will BSWD cover the cost of a learning disability or a psycho-educational assessment?

If you are eligible for BSWD, you may be reimbursed for one diagnostic assessment, in a given loan year, as deemed necessary by a Disability Coordinator in Student Accessibility Services (SAS). Students are required to meet with a Disability Coordinator in SAS for BSWD-approval before completing the assessment.

Can I use BSWD to help pay for tuition or books?

No. BSWD funding is intended to assist students with very specific disability-related educational needs. The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities requires that every dollar of BSWD funding be accounted for with receipts verifying the purchase of the item or service that was approved by the Disability Coordinator.

Is the Canada Student Grant for Persons with Permanent Disabilities the same as BSWD?

The Canada Student Grant for Persons with Permanent Disabilities is a federal OSAP grant. Eligibility for the grant is automatically determined through the full-time or part-time OSAP application process. The maximum value of the grant is $4,000 per academic year. It displaces $4,000 of OSAP federal loan with non-repayable grant funding. Students must self-identify as having a permanent disability on the OSAP application and qualify for funding to receive this grant.

Should students with permanent disabilities apply for full-time or part-time OSAP?

If you have permanent disabilities, and you are taking more than 40% and less than 60% of a full course load in each term, you have a choice of applying for OSAP as a part time or full-time student. It is recommended that you speak with a Student Services Professional for help deciding which program meets your financial needs.

Tuition Assistance & Bursary Benefit

McMaster faculty, staff, retirees and their spouses/dependents enrolled in a degree, diploma and certificate program can apply for Tuition Assistance & Bursary Benefits.

On your dashboard you will find all of the opportunities you are eligible for that have additional requirements. What’s great about AwardSpring is that you can share the same requirements (i.e. a reference letter or statement of interest) across all applications with the same criteria!

You’ll be able to view all the awards you’ve been automatically applied to or completed the follow up requirements for, listed under the Scholarships Tab with an “Applied” status.

Application Statuses:

• Applied: Your application is complete and submitted.
• Denied: You no longer meet the eligibility requirements (i.e. if you withdraw prior to the application deadline, you will be removed from the applicant pool, or if you have a significant change in financial status)
• Approved: If you continue to meet all eligibility requirements when the application period closes your application status will appear as Awarded ($1).  For the general bursary this does not mean that you are guaranteed bursary funding but that your application is undergoing a final assessment in Mosaic.

If you receive an award, the value will not be listed in AwardSpring, but in your Mosaic Student Center.

Monitor your dashboard regularly and be sure to add awardspring.ca to your ‘safe senders’ list to receive status updates via email.

Bursaries and most scholarships are paid directly to your McMaster student account and can be viewed in your Mosaic Student Centre. If there is a credit on your account after it is applied to your tuition and certain fees, the amount with be refunded to your personal bank account.

Have questions about AwardSpring? Ask us here!

2020-21 Fall/Winter Bursary Dates – Undergrads

2020-21 Summer Bursary Dates – Undergrads

2020-21 Bursary Dates – Grad Students

2020-21 Bursary Dates – Medicine Students

* Physician Assistant Students will be assessed at the same time (No application required)

2020-21 Bursary Dates – MBA Students

*MBA students can apply for the MBA Bursary and the McMaster General Bursary Program. See Graduate Student dates for McMaster General Bursary Program deadlines.

2020-21 Travel & Exchange Scholarship Dates

2020-21 Undergraduate In-Course Scholarship Dates

2020-21 Graduating Students Scholarship Dates

2020-21 Community Contribution Scholarship Dates

2020-21 Rhodes Scholarship Dates

2020-21 Renaissance Scholarship Dates

2020-21 Killam Scholarship Dates

On your dashboard you will find all of the opportunities you are eligible for that have additional requirements. What’s great about AwardSpring is that you can share the same requirements (i.e. a reference letter or statement of interest) across all applications with the same criteria!

You’ll be able to view all the awards you’ve been automatically applied to or completed the follow up requirements for, listed under the Scholarships Tab with an “Applied” status.

Application Statuses:

• Applied: Your application is complete and submitted.
• Denied: You no longer meet the eligibility requirements (i.e. if you withdraw prior to the application deadline, you will be removed from the applicant pool, or if you have a significant change in financial status)
• Approved: If you continue to meet all eligibility requirements when the application period closes your application status will appear as Awarded ($1).  For the general bursary this does not mean that you are guaranteed bursary funding but that your application is undergoing a final assessment in Mosaic.

If you receive an award, the value will not be listed in AwardSpring, but in your Mosaic Student Center.

Monitor your dashboard regularly and be sure to add awardspring.ca to your ‘safe senders’ list to receive status updates via email.

Payments

Bursaries and most scholarships are paid directly to your McMaster student account and can be viewed in your Mosaic Student Centre. If there is a credit on your account after it is applied to your tuition and certain fees, the amount with be refunded to your personal bank account.

Learn more about refunds

Have questions about AwardSpring? Ask us here!

McMaster encourages award recipients to take the time to express appreciation to your award donor(s), by writing a personal thank you letter. Your letter is important – the individuals and organizations who fund student awards truly appreciate hearing about your accomplishments, goals, and plans for the future.

Letter template

Use the following template should be used to structure your thank you letter:

Thank you letter template (pdf)

Save the pdf to your computer, and then edit it using your preferred pdf editor (Adobe, Preview, etc).

Please note that inserting a photo into your letter is optional. If you do not want to include a photo, leave the photo box on the upper right blank.

Uploading your letter

How to upload your letter to AwardSpring (awards by application): 

• Once you have been awarded a scholarship, log in to AwardSpring and access your Dashboard.
• Under the items requiring completion, find your award and click “Complete follow up.” If your award requires a thank you letter, you’ll be asked to submit one.
• Write your thank you letter using our downloadable template.
• Click “Upload File” to upload your letter.
• Once uploaded, select “Submit Follow-up” and you’ll be re-directed to your Dashboard.

How to upload your letter to MacDrive (all other awards):

McMaster’s Virtual drop box, MacDrive, allows you to easily and securely submit documents like your donor thank you letter.

• Write your thank you letter using the downloadable template above.
• Save your PDF as Firstname_Lastname_awardname.pdf
• Select ‘Add Files’, and then browse for your document
• Select the file and click OK. A successful upload has an ‘uploaded’ notification displayed on the screen.

Important:

• Please do not upload photos of your letter
• Only upload your document once
• Need confirmation the upload was successful? You can email sdintern@mcmaster.ca.

By submitting your thank you letter you are authorizing your student information, your photo, as well as any quotes taken from your thank you letter to be used in future stewardship materials and university communications such as McMaster newsletters. You are acknowledging that your letter may be edited before delivery to a donor, and you are releasing McMaster from any responsibility regarding how a donor may choose to use or publish your letter. If you choose to include your address, phone number and/or e-mail address you should be aware that the university will have no control over the donor’s use of this information.

Applying to medical/law/professional school?

If your application asks you for a verifier for any McMaster-based scholarships you’ve won during your time as an undergrad, you can list:

• Nancy Solano, Awards Officer, McMaster University 1280 Main St. W. Gilmour Hall, Room 120 Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8 (905) 525-9140 ext 23145 solanon@mcmaster.ca

The following general information may also be useful to your application:

To determine your competition for any of the scholarships you received, you can refer to the Undergraduate Calendar and the online University statistics for the year in which you received the award.

• Applicants to McMaster University need admission average of 80% or higher are eligible for Entrance Scholarships.
• Reference the specific award descriptions and terms in the Undergraduate Calendar to determine how scholarship decisions were made. The Undergraduate Calendar also outline the criteria and competition (typically available) for an award. Past copies of calendars are available at Mills Memorial Library and in PDF documents.
• Reference the University Statistics for the number of students in a level, faculty, program or course. Search for statistics according to the criteria for a specific award.

Find the online version of the most recent McMaster University Fact Book:

2021-22 MAPS Bursary Dates

2021-22 Fall/Winter Bursary Dates – Undergrads

2021-22 Summer Bursary Dates – Undergrads

2021-22 Bursary Dates – Grad Students

2021-22 Bursary Dates – Medicine Students

* Physician Assistant Students will be assessed at the same time (No application required)

2021-22 Bursary Dates – MBA Students

*MBA students can apply for the MBA Bursary and the McMaster General Bursary Program. See Graduate Student dates for McMaster General Bursary Program deadlines.

2020-21 Travel & Exchange Scholarship Dates

2020-21 Undergraduate In-Course Scholarship Dates

2020-21 Graduating Students Scholarship Dates

2020-21 Community Contribution Scholarship Dates

2020-21 Rhodes Scholarship Dates

2020-21 Renaissance Scholarship Dates

2020-21 Killam Scholarship Dates